July will be a buzz of cultural activity in Mexico in honour of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, born 100 years ago this month. The activities planned for this occasion, the majority of which will feature artists from the Philippines, are associated with the Cervantes Institute of Manila. The celebrations were kicked off in the opening ceremony “Queremos tanto a Frida” (“We love Frida so much”) on July 6th, on what would have been Kahlo's 100th birthday.

Magdalena del Carmen Frida Kahlo Calderón, the third daughter of German Guillermo Kahlo and Mexican Matilde Calderón, was born in Coyoacan, south of Mexico City, on July 6th 1907. Unique and somewhat peculiar, she was a women of great independence and style, and was an open critic of her society's morals and social schema. Proud of her nationality, she bravely stood up to the Americanisation of her country and was ready to fight at any moment.

Her life was marked especially by illness and suffering. In 1914, at six years old, she came down with polio, the disease that attacks the nervous system; from then on she lived her life in considerable pain, having countless operations and related illnesses.

After her studies at the National Preparatory School (Escuela Nacional Preparatoria) in Mexico City, where she took classes by renowned academic Fernando Fernández Domínguez, she was involved in a collision with a bus, leaving her bedridden for a long time. This was what inspired her in her self-portraits, in which she illustrated her feelings, emotions and experiences.

After her recovery, Kahlo married Diego Rivera, a well-known Mexican muralist, and together with her husband she embarked on her career as an artist. Through her work she toured the United States (including New York and Detroit) and Paris, gaining immense international fame.

Kahlo died in 1954 in Coyoacan.

Many of the world's leading artists will gather for this special event in honour of her life, among which include writers Jessica Zafra and Marjorie Evasco, sculptor Julie Lluch, director Ellen Ramos, fine artists Wawi Navarroza y Stephanie Pallallos, and dancer and choreographer Myra Beltrán.

Read more about Mexico at www.oneplanettravel.com

The history of wines and vineyards is so old that it comes as no surprise that it is often confused with the history of man. The Bible first noted the creation of wine by Noel, who created a vineyard in which he grew the grapes for the vital juice. He is known as the creator of this wonderful drink.

The status of wine has evolved in Western society over generations, yet it has always been a vital part of our everyday lives. It is a symbol of celebration, health and happiness, and is enjoyed by all on any occasion. In modern society, however, the good stuff is now also a symbol of commercialism, with a specific role in tourism.

The businesses and establishments associated with wine tourism have the aim of promoting wine producing regions and vineyards to tourists, as well as developing activities associated with wine and enhancing its status in the tourism industry. One of the great advantages of wine is that it has a significant role in our society, giving the industry a huge capital in which to build a variety of tourist services and enterprises.

Some of the many activities that are associated with wine tourism include:
Wine tasting courses and events
Grape picking and wine making
Visits and excursions to vineyards
Visits to wineries and museums, discovering the history and heritage of wine production

La Rioja and Castilla La Mancha in Spain are two of the most renowned wine producing regions in Europe, and their fine wines guarantee to satisfy the most demanding palates of even wine experts.

Find out more about our recommended tours and activities at www.oneplanettravel.com.

The 94th Tour de France is now in full swing, taking place from July 7th until July 29th 2007. Since its creation by Henri Desgranges in 1903, it has taken place every July, with the exception of the periods of World Wars I and II.
Competitors cycle a total distance of approximately 3570 kilometres (2218 miles). The race runs over 20 stages which are divided as follows:
- 11 flat
- 6 high altitude (Alpe d'Huez)
- 1 medium altitude
- 2 time trials

The Tour de France is justifiably considered the most prestigious cycling event in the world, offering a display of passion, talent and drama from the world's top cyclists. This grand spectacular is watched by millions of people all over the world, many of which come to Europe to cheer the cyclists on.

Entertainment programmes are organised for the public at the beginning of each stage, so nobody is bored whilst waiting for the competitors to pass. The little ones can take part in cycling competitions, with the chance of winning a private lesson with Laurent Jalabert, who is a prominent feature at each stage of the tour.

Besides the crowd entertainment, the Tour's organisers also put on showcases and displays, reliving the history and the events that have made the Tour de France what it is today.  In fact, some routes are closed to traffic up to two days in advance, allowing the public to enjoy the fun in a street-party style.

This year's tour has kicked off in London, marking the first occasion in history in which the tour has begun in the British capital. Over 200 cyclists arrived in London to battle it out for the coveted yellow jersey, awarded to the cyclist clocking up the fastest time in each stage. As always, the winner  will cross the finishing line in Champs Elysées, Paris.

Who will the winner be this year? Last years winner, Floyd Landis, will not defend his title this year, so a new champion will be born.

Read more about Paris and London at www.oneplanettravel.com

From the end of July until the beginning of September, the city of Edinburgh will become a glittering stage where the magic of the city really comes to life. Without a shadow of doubt, this festival truly offers something for everyone, including theatre, performance arts, dance, music and cinema. The only thing needed is a passion for entertainment.
A wealth of artists from all corners of the globe will come together for the festival, which will take place in a series of six separate yet cojoining events; The International Festival of Edinburgh, the Fringe, the International Cinematography Festival, The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, the International Book Festival and the People's Festival of Edinburgh. Each event has its own unique programme and official website, and tickets are sold through their own organising bodies. The Fringe has its distinct personality, yet this nature has not always been welcomed by the official festival, particularly between the 1950s and 1970s. The competitive nature between the two festivals has gradually calmed down, yet the Fringe has retained its individual style and experimental touch, standing out from the the rest of the programme.
Whatever your musical taste, age or personal style, the Edinburgh Festival will keep the whole family entertained from dawn until dusk. Come and be dazzled by the magic of the Scottish capital!

Star Wars fans from across the globe will be pouring into London for the Star Wars celebration Europe, taking place on July 13th, 14th and 15th. This international convention will be held at the Excel London conference centre, offering an exciting programme for lovers of Princess Leia and the Jedi.

The beginning of the saga dates back to the 1970s, in a galaxy far, far away, when its creator George Lucas unveiled plans to make a film version of the popular 1930s science fiction comic strip Flash Gordon, originally drawn by Alex Raymond. However, Italian movie producer Dino De Laurentiis secured the production rights beforehand, which lead to Lucas creating his own saga. Although Lucas missed out on the rights to produce Flash Gordon, the first trilogy of Star Wars films does contain some obvious references to the 1930's hero.

Lucas put forward his ideas in 1975, yet the project was initially rejected by Universal Studios and United Artists because it was considered too risky and expensive. However, the first Star Wars film was released in 1977, simply titled Star Wars. The sequel followed two years later, titled The Empire Strikes Back, and in 1983 the saga was completed with the release of The Return of the Jedi.

In 1997, the three films were re-mastered and re-released as Special Editions, each with better sound and picture quality. Lucas then announced plans to make three new Star Wars films; The Phantom Menace was released in 1999, followed by the Attack of the Clones in 2002 and finally Revenge of the Sith in 2005.

Being present at the Star Wars Celebration convention is a dream date for many Star Wars fans. The event, organised by the official Star Wars fan club, has become a tradition for fans worldwide, with members of the club having special privileges. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the convention; to celebrate, six cast members will be present, signing autographs and chatting to diehard fans. And if that´s not enough, the first triology will be screened, along with the orginal archives from Lucas Arts. A three-day pass to the event will cost 53.50 pounds.

For more information, visit the official website at www.celebrationeurope.com

(Photo by Tostie14)

On July 14th, Paris will be celebrating “Bastille Day”, the national holiday of France. This festival commemorates the Storming of the Bastille in 1789, an event with much significance in the development of the modern French nation.
The Bastille, which was located on what is now the Place de la Bastille, was a prison for people jailed on the basis of lettre de cachet for rebelling against the monarchy and its oppressive regime. A group of peasants reacted violently against this oppression by storming the Bastille, attacking the building and destroying official documents. This forced the reigning Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette to flee to Versailles. The violent acts of the peasants were from then on known as the “great fear.”
For the working class, the Bastille was a symbol of the corruption and the hypocracy of the government, which was predominated by the upper and noble classes. The Storming of the Bastille marked the beginning of the peasant class role in the French Revolution, and consequently the beginning of a new era for France. Two days after the rebellion, the king unveiled the new tricoloured flag of France, which is still used today in recognition of the event. The three colours of the flag- blue, white and red- represent liberty, equality and fraternity (liberté, equalité, fraternité)
For the people of France, July 14th (Bastille Day) represents the death of the French monarchy and the birth of a new modern republic. Nowadays the people of Paris celebrate this day in style, with fireworks and festivities all night long.

(Photo by Piero Sierra)

Read more about Paris at www.oneplanettravel.com

The Spanish city of Pamplona is once again ablaze with revellers for the annual San Fermines festival, famous worldwide for the “running of the bulls”. The profile of this event is so high that the population of the city actually increases from 190,000 to a whopping 1,500,000 during this event.

The festival kicks off in style on July 6th at noon with the chupinazo, a series of fireworks let off on the Pamplona Town Hall square, followed by the reading of the pregón by the mayor. This ceremony attracts a large number of spectators year after year.

The most famous part of this festival by far is the “encierros” (the running of the bulls), in which spectators chase a pack of wild bulls down an 800m stretch for around two to three minutes. They take place on each day of the festival (7-14 July), passing through Santo Domingo hill, the Town Hall Square, Calle Mercaderes, Calle Estafeta and the Telefónica building before finally finishing in the plaza de toros (bullring). The herds are usually made up of six bulls and eight oxes, and  different  herds are used on each day of the festival.

Although its origins date back centuries, its reputation as a global festival has surged in recent years due to its ever-more peculiar nature. The festival, which was held in September until the 16th century, originally took place in three stages: religious ceremonies in honour of the city's patron saint Saint Fermin, the running of the bulls and commercial fairs, with celebrations of his mentor Saint Saturnin taking place in November. It was then decided in 1591 that the celebrations of Saint Fermin would take place in July. The city continues to hold a festival for Saint Saturnin every November, albeit these celebrations are more low-key.

The San Fermines festival usually draws to a close on July 14th with the famous song Pobre de mí (Poor Me), although the bulls carry on running the following day. This is known as the Encierro de la Bundaresa, in which runners who have missed the bull run, or who simply crave more adrenaline, chase buses belonging to the local company Bunderesa. This has been an ongoing tradition for quite some time in Pamplona.

The festival owes a great deal of its public profile to Ernest Hemingway, who centralised it in many of his books. Thanks to him and the thousands of visitors who arrive every year, this event is considered to be one of the greatest in the world, ranking along Munich's Oktoberfest and the Carnival of Rio de Janeiro.

(Photo by Smathewz)

Prague, situated on the banks of the River Moldava, is the capital of and largest city in the Czech Republic, with a population of more than one million.
Prague, also known as the “city of a hundred towers” because of its more than 550 domes, survived the turmoil and destruction of the Second World War and emerged from the Cold War with a cosmopolitan yet perfectly preserved old centre. For this reason, the old centre of the city was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992.
A city of romance, intellect and incredible beauty, Prague has attracted many artists and poets, such as Chateaubriand and André Breton to name but a few. For many visitors, Prague is the “magical capital of Europe”: the River Moldava with its 18 bridges, its delightful castle, attractive Baroque quarters, Viennese architecture and the magestic St. Vito Cathedral, the oldest Gothic cathedral in Central Europe, make the city a must on any European itinerary.
Prague is host to many international festivals, such as the One World Film Festival and the Prague Writer's festival, and also holds festivals dedicated to alternative theatre. This “golden city” is without a doubt the perfect place in which to lose youself and unwind, strolling through its narrow little streets and taking in its rich cultural and historic flavour.

Read more about Prague at www.oneplanettravel.com

The International Jazz Festival of Montreal, with 25 years of success and an ever-increasing turnout, is nowadays one of the largest jazz festivals in the world, if not the largest. The festival, held every summer in the vibrant city of Montreal, Canada, offers an exciting programme of more than 500 shows, of which 350 are free and open-air. Every summer more than 2000 musicians, not only from Canada but all over the world, and over 1.5 million spectactors come to the event.

Montreal itself, an internationally-renowned bilingual city, is worth visiting for its intellectual and cultural vitality. Cosmopolitan and multicultural, it is a favourite city for hosting global events. This year's festival, the 28^th in its history, will be held from June 28 until July 8 and will feature artists such as Bob Dylan, Manu Chao, Keith Jarrett, Cesaria Evora and Wynton Marsalis. There is no better time to discover Montreal and its contagious festival atmosphere.

(Photo by ronrag)

Official site of the International Jazz Festival

Read more about Montreal at www.oneplanettravel.com

The red dirt of Roland Garros has barely had time to settle, yet the tennis world is now preparing for the next Grand Slam, the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships. This event, held at the All England Club in the London suburb of Wimbledon, is the oldest and possibly most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, attracting thousands of spectactors.
This year's tournament, in which both the men's and women's champions will be awarded equal prize money for the first time, promises an exciting programme of top-seed action with plenty of drama on Centre Court. Unlike the other Grand Slams, Wimbledon is the only major tournament where spectators without tickets can queue up and get tickets for Centre Court and Courts 1 and 2 for play that day, with great seats still available. Traditionally, there is no play on the middle Sunday, allowing the players and public a rest; however, rain has forced play three times in the tournament's history, on what is known as the “People's Sunday”, the last of which was in 2004. Tickets are sold relatively cheaply on this day, since seats are not reserved. Those who miss out on court tickets can watch the action on the big screen on the Aorangi Park hill, affectionally known as “Henman Hill” after local favourite Tim Henman. This is just as enjoyable as being on the court itself.
The event not only attracts tourists for the tennis, but also for the venue's world-class Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum. This museum does exactly what it says on the tin- an impressive collection of tennis memorabilia is displayed here, including the champion's racquets, balls and outfits. The winner's trophies are also on display, with multimedia presentations and commentaries in 8 different languages.
As well as the classic British weather, Wimbledon wouldn't be Wimbledon without a serving of the traditional strawberries and cream- approximately 62,000 pounds of strawberries and 1,540 gallons of cream are sold each year during the event. Don't forget to take a picnic with you- and an umbrella!
(Photo by Spiralz)

Official site of the Championships
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